ANDREA PAULIE

As an adult, I have learned that having a good dentist is very important. Not only does a dentist help to keep your smile looking great, but they also work to keep teeth healthy and free of damage. No matter what area of East Tennessee you live in, you’ll find that there are many dental practice’s to choose from. It can often be overwhelming when trying to find a new dentist that cater’s to your needs.

I recently visited Lynnwood Dental and asked an established Knoxville dentist, Dr. Sara Boren, to share some tips that will help when searching for a new dentist. Below are a few things she suggested to keep in mind that may help you select a dentist.

Ask Friends And Family

One of the best ways to select a dentist is to ask friends and family for recommendations and opinions. This is a great approach in selecting a new dentist because you will get real, honest, and in-depth reviews. Be sure to ask them many different questions. Some excellent questions to ask include; How friendly is the dentist and staff? Do they have a modern dental office that offers the latest technology? Do they provide a wide range of services? These are just a few of the questions you can ask them. Think about what qualities and qualifications are most important to you. After all, a dentist is someone you will be building a life-long relationship of oral health with.

Ask Your Primary Care Physician

Your doctor or primary care physician may be able to provide you with good recommendations on a new dentist. They may recommend a dentist that they visit themselves or even a good dentist friend that can refer you to. Another professional you could ask would be your local pharmacist. They also may be able to recommend a dentist in the local area, based on what they hear from their customers.

Be Sure They Accept Your Insurance

One of the best tips to keep in mind when trying to choose a new dentist is to be sure that they accept your insurance. Keeping your possibilities limited to only dentists who are in your dental insurance network will avoid any unnecessary headache and hassle.

Ask If They Accept New Patients

Some dentists may have too many patients and cannot accept new patients. So, it’s important to ask any new dentist if they accept new patients. If they are not accepting new patients at this time, they will often recommend a new dentist for you to try.

Note The Hours They Are Open

When trying to choose a new dentist it is important to factor in the hours they are open. Having a dentist that offers later hours or weekend appointments and accommodates your schedule is the always a plus.

Have A Consultation

A great way to be sure that your new dentist will be a good fit for you is to schedule a consultation. Visiting or even calling before making an actual appointment is a great way to get to know the dentist and the staff.

What Services Do They Provide

When choosing a new dentist it is important to keep in mind what services they provide. For instance; Are you planning on having cosmetic dental work done in the future? Is your family going to be seeing the same dental care provider? It is often best to choose a dentist that offers a wide range of services to fulfill all of your needs in one office.

Ask Co-workers

Asking your co-workers for a recommendation on a new dentist is another great way to find a dentist. They provide you with an actual first-hand account of their experience with a particular dentist. They may also be able to tell you which dental offices are closet to your job or home.

Although there are many different factors to keep in mind when trying to choose your new dentist, these are helpful things to remember that can help make choosing a dentist much easier.